Most of the schools I'm applying to in Massachusetts use a website called SchoolSpring. While I think the idea of submitting uniform applications online is fabulous and the site is easy to use, I'm finding their lack of support disappointing. If you are writing a traditional resume and cover letter, there are thousands of websites that will help you optimize your application. But there's almost nothing to help you with SchoolSpring. The problem I'm having is despite a fully completed application, my applications are not being opened by employers. I called SchoolSpring to see if there was something I could do differently because obviously I'm not getting sorted into the "open" pile. I was told to "move to a different state" and that "SchoolSpring's job was to get applications to the employers not to be a live chat website." Yikes. Has anyone had success with SchoolSpring? If so, do you have any tips? Also does anyone have any experience hiring with SchoolSpring? What did you / what were you able to sort applicants by? I greatly appreciate any tips anyone might have. Hopefully, we can get a discussion going and help out any other applicants that might be in the same spot. Thanks! C
I'm afraid it really is an issue of the job market. There are too many applicants for each position. They could have been a lot more professional in their response, but essentially they are correct.
I understand that the job market is hard. I'm just looking for some tips on how to stand out in the sorting process. I've talked to a few retired principals and they were more than happy to talk about how they used to sort / what caught their eye when it was on paper. But they all agreed it would be different on a computer. There's hundreds of tips for traditional resumes and cover letters on how to make yours stand out from a pile. I'm just confused as to why there's not the same for SchoolSpring. If so many schools are using it, why is there no resource for people applying? Any tips or suggestions of how to optimize the application to be opened would be helpful. Even if it's just a theory. Can employers search with keywords? Can they sort by years experience? Can they sort by location? Do they pay more attention to the first submitted applications? Is it worth it to withdraw an unopened application and resubmit in hopes of catching their attention? I'm able to understand that there's different levels of packages SchoolSpring sells to schools and that it sends an email to them when you apply. Thanks
These are all valid questions! My district (in MA) uses SchoolSpring. It's my understanding that principals can sort by any number of things, but the first thing we sort by is internal applicants and then years of experience. I think they can also sort by key words. Sure, there is some aspect of the process in which is is more efficient for an applicant to be able to submit applications, but, for better or for worse, there is even greater efficiency for the administrator/HR to instantly sort and filter candidates. In the greater Boston area, schools are getting hundreds and hundreds of applicants for some positions (ELEMENTARY), even if the posting only stays up a few days (like it does in my district -- which I think is ridiculous). I remember how frustrating it felt to be sent a "position has been filled" notification when the admins hadn't even clicked on my name! The best thing you can do is to continue applying. Each administrator may sort differently, so there will be no way to know how to optimize your application in advance. My heart goes out to you! Best of luck.
schoolspring Couple of thoughts for your applications. Make sure your cover letter is addressed to a person associated with the job, HR/Principal/director. Cover letters starting out, "To Whom it May Concern" often get rejected immediately. Make sure your application is complete. Often schools have internal candidates lined up for a job but advertise the job and go through the motions as if they were really looking outside the district. Ugh! It is a very, very tough job market in and outside Education. Especially elementary! As harsh as it may have seemed, the advice you got from SchoolSpring about moving, going to another locale is very good advice! Your chances improve dramatically if you move or are willing to commute a distance. If you cannot move then you need to look at related positions, Teaching Assistants, etc., to get your foot in the door. Hang in there!
Vaguely off-topic, but I had mostly given up on SchoolSpring, as most of what I saw for my state was part-time tutoring gigs. I checked yesterday and found a full-time position for my area that I might not have found otherwise (wasn't on the ODE website or anywhere else I regularly check). Thanks for the reminder!
Can you email principals? That may help you. If they like your cover letter/resume/brochure, then they could specifically look up your application. It couldn't hurt.
